Launce is sent to Silvia with "a little jewel" of a dog as a present
from Proteus. When the small dog escapes from him, Launce sends
his incontinent Crab as a substitute. The mischievous Crab
immediately steals Silvia's capon's leg and wets the floor under the
Duke's table, crimes for which the animal will be severely
punished. Launce steps in and takes the blame in order to save his
dog's hide. Launce then asks Crab, "How many masters would do
this for his servant?" Proteus is not so merciful to his servant
Launce. The master scolds him for losing the small dog and for
sending Crab in its place. Launce defends himself and his decision,
reasoning that since Crab is ten times larger that the lost dog, the
gift of Crab was obviously greater.

Hearing that Proteus has lately parted with his servant, Julia, in
disguise, enters his service as his page Sebastian. She seizes the
opportunity to comment on the irony of Proteus' love: "She (Julia)
dreams on him that hath forgot her love; you dote on her (Silvia)
that cares not for your love." Sebastian (really Julia) is
commissioned to give a ring (the one that she had given Proteus) to
Silvia in exchange for her picture. Julia, disguised as Sebastian,
calls upon Silvia, who rejects Proteus' advances. She does,
however, agree to send her picture to Proteus, as she has promised.

Julia, delighted over Silvia's rejection of Proteus, describes the
forsaken Julia to Silvia and enlists her sympathy. At the end of the
scene, Julia is left with her rival's portrait that will be "worshipp'd,
kiss'd, lov'd and ador'd" by her faithless Proteus. She tries to
discredit Silvia through the picture, stating "the painter flattered
her." As Julia tries to deal with her hurt, it is a poignant closing
scene.

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Notes

Launce strolls in with Crab to deliver an amiable comic
monologue, but the intended message is serious and demands
attention. Launce accepts the blame for his dog's misbehavior in
order to save the animal from punishment. He is more noble than
his master, who unmercifully berates Launce for losing the gift dog
and substituting the beloved Crab in its place.

The humorous scene about Crab is followed by a scene filled with
dramatic intensity. Julia, working as Proteus' page Sebastian, must
run unpleasant errands for her master; even these odious tasks do
not diminish her love for him. When Proteus sends the ring she has
given him as a token to Silvia, Julia cannot hide her hurt and
criticizes the master for deserting Julia; but she faithfully delivers
the ring to Silvia, who she finds to be a mild, beautiful, and gentle
woman. Julia is delighted when Silvia rejects the ring and says she
is appalled that Proteus has sent it, for "his Julia gave it him at his
departure." Julia, still in disguise, seizes the opportunity of the
moment and pretends to know Julia. She tells Silvia of the misery
of the forsaken Julia and gains her sympathy for her.

It is important to note Julia's invented tale of her performance as
Ariadne, who is a legendary heroine of Greek mythology and the
prototype of the woman abandoned by her lover. Sebastian's
invented tale ultimately leads up to the revelation of her suffering
as Julia. It also arouses Silvia's compassion.

It is also important to note that in both this scene and the previous
one, the nobility of selfless behavior is praised, one in a serious
scene and the other in a comic one. Sir Eglamour has devoted his
life to the memory of his beloved, who died at a young age.
Because he has grieved over lost love, he understands Silvia's
plight and selflessly agrees to accompany her on her mission to
find the banished Valentine. In a like manner, Launce, who is
devoted to Crab, saves his dog and takes the punishment himself.
The evil Proteus could never understand such noble thoughts and
actions.